408 SYSTEMS OF CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY 



three distinct varieties of the classificatory form, the Turanian, Malayan, and Es- 

 kimo, so there may be still others among the remaining Asiatic nations. However 

 this may be, it can be confidently affirmed that no other form of consanguinity 

 given in the Tables has been subjected to such an ordeal as that now under con- 

 sideration. Its preservation as a classificatory system, possessed of so many Tura- 

 nian characteristics, against the pressure brought to bear upon it by the superior 

 intelligence and cultivation of the Sanskrit colonists, to whom its provisions must 

 have been exceedingly offensive, is a striking confirmation of the persistency of 

 the fundamental conceptions upon which it rests. 



With respect to the identity of a portion of the Hindi system of relationship 

 with the corresponding part of the Polish and Bulgarian, the supposition of acci- 

 dental coincidence is not so convincing as to repress speculation. It may be con- 

 jectured, with some degree of plausibility, that after the Sanskrit branch of the 

 Aryan family had become incorporated with the native tribes beyond the Indus, 

 their blood undoubtedly going downward through the masses, whether that of the 

 latter penetrated their ranks or otherwise, and after the new vernaculars, and the 

 new system of relationship had commenced their formation, a portion of this amal- 

 gamated stock broke off and emigrated westward, carrying with them the system 

 as it then existed, and becoming, in the course of time, the Slavonic branch of the 

 Aryan family. 



2. Bengali. This form follows the Hindi so closely, both in its nomenclature, 

 and in its classification of persons, that it does not require a notice in detail. The 

 schedule was prepared by the late Rev. Gopenath Nundy, a Bengalese by birth, and a 

 missionary of the American Presbyterian Board, stationed at Futtehpore, North 

 India. It was executed with care and precision. His letter to the author, which 

 presents the essential parts of the system, and contains some valuable information, 

 will be found entire to the note.^ Some of his answers, however, need qualifica- 

 tion. 



FCTTEUPOEE, NOKTHERN IXDIA, July 26, 1860. 



' Dear Sir : I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your printed letter, and some 

 printed forms, which were forwarded by Rev. J. C. Lowrie, Secretary of the A. B. of Foreign Mis- 

 sions, requesting me to fill up the printed forms, and to answer your letter, which I herewith beg 

 to do. 



By reading over all the printed papers I find that there is a great likeness and similarity in rela- 

 tionships between the Indian nations of North America, and the nations of this country. When I 

 say nations of this country I do not mean the Mohamedans, but the Hindus, who are the original 

 natives of India. They are called by different names, such as Toybunguis (People of South India), 

 Marhatos, Hindustanies, Bengalies, &c. &c. They all have prettj- much the same religion, and in 

 most parts agree in their relationships. I, as a Bengali, born and brought up in Calcutta, speak 

 from my own experience and knowledge when I say there is a great similarity in the various degrees 

 of consanguinity between the Indian nations of North America and the natives of this country, as 

 the answers to your questions will show. How they came to agree I cannot understand, for there 

 must have been some sort of communication with each other. 



Now I will answer [the propositions resulting from an analysis of the system of relationsMp] as 

 they stand in your printed letter, page 4. 



" I. All the brothers and sisters of a man's grandfather, and of his grandmother, and all his 

 ancestors above grandfather and grandmother, together with all their brothers and sisters, are equally 



